Black Widow

Image credit: IMDb

I have to admit that, with the world being the way it is currently, I have found that my passion for cinema has taken a bit of a battering. Indeed it feels like ages since I watched a new movie, I have only just reignited the flame. The most recent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has hit shelves now, so it seemed the perfect time to come out of retirement. 

Black Widow, as its name suggests, focuses on the elite assassin Natasha Romanoff (Scarlet Johansson). Taking place after the events of Civil War, the film chronicles Natasha’s war against Dreykov when a strange chemical is sent to her. When she discovers that the man who controlled her violent past is still alive and continuing to subject young girls to torture and mind control to turn them into assassins, Natasha does the unthinkable; reunites with her estranged ‘family’ to take down Dreykov once and for all. 

I’m sure like many people I was quite excited for this film. Black Widow is a kick-arse female lead and, finally, there is now a film devoted to her. A film that honestly doesn’t really meet expectations I’m sorry to say.

But let’s first start with a compliment, as the sandwich technique is always good. I did appreciate the fact that this was a feminine action movie. There’s enough fight sequences, explosions, and brawls to satiate anyone’s need for testosterone, but there can be not doubt that girls rule, as the only male characters with faces and lines are the villain and a loveable supporting character. But even praises for it being a feminist movie must be taken with a grain of salt, as the approach is very ham-fisted, clumsy, and rather annoying when you consider that the main message is about having a family; apparently women are unidentifiable without them.

What is most disappointing though is that the film brings absolutely nothing to the character or to the wider universe. We don’t really learn anything about Natasha that hadn't already been explained or hinted at, which makes Black Widow a bit of a lame filler movie to bridge the gaps in the timeline. Indeed it seems like the main reason this movie is in existence is for introductory purposes, hinted by the stinger at the end. 

Image credit: Variety

The central characters and their complicated relationships are kind of fun and interesting enough, however there was a rather half-hearted feel to the script, which dissuaded any sort of emotional attachments towards the characters. This is perhaps the worst thing a film can do, it robs the audience of the voyeuristic adventure and leaves a dissatisfied feeling, which no one wants. 

The actions sequences are all very cool and the performances are great with the central cast chemistry being quite entertaining and providing the film with some of its funnier and more touching moments, but ultimately Black Widow is just another action movie; and sadly not one that stands out in any way.

Director: Cate Shortland (2021)

Cast: Scarlet Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, O-T Fagbenle, & Ray Winstone